9 Best Hiking Leggings of 2024

We tested the best hiking leggings on the market today according to durability, comfort, breathability, and warmth. Read on to see how they performed, which is best for you, and get some valuable buying advice.

Best Hiking Leggings

The best hiking leggings are:

• Best Overall Hiking Leggings: KUHL Transcendr Legging
• Best Price: THE NORTH FACE Women’s Winter Warm Tight
• Most Durable Leggings: FJALLRAVEN Abisko Women’s Trekking Tight
• Most Comfortable Leggings: LULULEMON Fast and Free High Rise Tight
• Most Versatile Leggings: OISELLE Pocket Jogger Tights
• Best Wool Leggings: SMARTWOOL Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms
• Best Leggings Pant Hybrid: ATHLETA Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tight

The product comparison table below is sortable. Click the arrow in the heading cell to sort the models by preferred spec.

Best Overall Hiking Leggings

KUHL Transcendr Leggings

Price: $99

See on REI

Pros

✅ Well-Rounded

✅ Affordable

Cons

❌ Limited color options

❌ Only 1 pocket

KEY SPECS

• Material: Nylon, Spandex, WR finish
• Rise: High
• Inseam length: 29 in
• Other features: Durable water-resistant finish on softshell fabric, Durable softshell with stretch at front and back, UPF 50 Sun protection

For those who want to get the most out of their gear, we think the KUHL Transcendr leggings would make a great addition. Their stretch and breathability make them perfect for yoga class and transition nicely to outdoor activities due to the UPF 50+ fabric.

In our experience, built-in stretch panels give you freedom of movement when you’re posing in a downward dog or scrambling up to a summit. Available in two color options.

Most Versatile Leggings

OISELLE Pocket Jogger Tights

Price: $98.00

See on MOOSEJAW

Pros

✅ Lots of pockets

✅ Interior drawcord

✅ Breathable

Cons

❌ Durability

KEY SPECS

• Material: Nylon, Spandex
• Rise: High
• Inseam length: 27 in
• Other features: 7 pockets

Oiselle Pocket Jogger Tights live up to their name with four mesh pockets at the waist, two side thigh pockets, and one rear zip pocket. Crafted in their soft Nyelle™ fabric, we feel these leggings are one of the more stylish and functional options on our list. Available in four shades, they are a fashionable and practical option for all your excursions.

Best Price

THE NORTH FACE Women’s Winter Warm Tight

Price: $89.00

See on MOOSEJAW See on REI

Pros

✅ Great for winter

✅ Wind-resistant

✅ Reflectors

Cons

❌ Versatility

❌ Breathability

KEY SPECS

• Material: Polyester, Elastane, DWR finish
• Rise: Mid
• Inseam length: 28.5-32 in
• Other features: Wind-resistant, Durable Water-Repellent (DWR) finish

The North Face Women’s Winter Warm Tight was designed with winter running in mind. Not only are they highly wind-resistant with their WindWall technology, but the special FlashDry™ material helps keep you cool and dry during your workout.

We appreciate that there are reflective logos on the left thigh and the back of the right leg, and the outer ankles to give you added visibility. Multiple pockets allow you to bring along your essentials.

Best Wool Leggings

SMARTWOOL Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms

Price: $110.00

See on MOOSEJAW See on REI

Pros

✅ Design minimizes chafing

✅ Odor-resistant

✅ Great for winter

Cons

❌ No pockets

❌ Pricey

KEY SPECS

• Material: Merino Wool
• Rise: Mid
• Inseam length: 30.5 in (size medium)
• Other features: Minimized chafing seams

Smartwool Merino 250 Base Layer Bottoms are made of 100% Merino wool, which will help you stay warm and dry while adventuring out in the cold this winter. We found that the slim fit accommodates a wide range of body shapes and is crafted with a flatlock seam construction designed to minimize chafing. These mid-rise leggings come in eight color options to fit every mood.

Most Durable Leggings

FJALLRAVEN Abisko Women’s Trekking Tight

Price: $175.00

See on MOOSEJAW See on REI

Pros

✅ Reinforced knees and rear

✅ Dense fabric

Cons

❌ Cost

❌ Excessive stitching

KEY SPECS

• Material: Polyester, Polyamide, Elastane, Aramid
• Rise: Mid
• Inseam length: 26 in
• Other features: Reinforced knees and rear, Hand pocket(s), Map pocket, Side pocket(s) with zipper

The Abisko Women’s Trekking Tight was designed with rugged adventures in mind. We like that it’s made with a dense, moisture-wicking fabric that features reinforced fabric at the knees and rear to help withstand rocks and sharp edges. The high-performance stretch material also allows for freedom of movement during your most technical scrambles.

Other thoughtful details we think you should notice include multiple pockets (one is large enough to fit a map, and the other zips to securely hold a compass) and a wide waistband. These features help make the Abisko Women’s Trekking Tight a tactical and comfortable choice. Available in six different colors.

Most Comfortable Leggings

LULULEMON Fast and Free High Rise Tight

Price: $128.00

See on AMAZON

Pros

✅ Comfortable

✅ Breathable

✅ Versatile

Cons

❌ Expensive

❌ Not as durable

KEY SPECS

• Material: Nylon, Elastane
• Rise: High
• Inseam length: 25-28 in
• Other features: 7 pockets

The Lululemon Fast and Free high-rise tight is all about freedom of movement. Made with their Nulux™ fabric, we appreciate that this pair is incredibly lightweight while still providing the coverage you need.

Also, in addition to two side pockets, the waistband has five additional pockets! An adjustable drawcord in the waistband ensures you can go for miles without having to adjust continuously. It comes in six color options and two different lengths.

Best Leggings Pant Hybrid

ATHLETA Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tight

Price: $119.00

See on REI

Pros

✅ Made from recycled nylon

✅ Lots of pockets

Cons

❌ Not ideal for layering

KEY SPECS

• Material: Nylon, Spandex
• Rise: High
• Inseam length: 26-31 in
• Other features: UPF 50, DWR, Abrasion-resistant, 6 pockets

The Athleta Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tight offers ample storage in the form of six pockets so you can carry your essentials with you anywhere. The high waist and next-to-body fit ensure warmth and comfort while you’re hiking or climbing in cooler temperatures, and we value the UPF 50+ sun protection this option offers. The recycled nylon makes these a sustainable option while resisting snags and tears.

The Other Noteworthy Models

EDDIE BAUER Women’s Trail Leggings

Price: $90.00

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Pros

✅ Multi-functional

✅ Odor-controlling properties

✅ Secure pockets

Cons

❌ Durability

KEY SPECS

• Material: Polyester, Spandex
• Rise: High
• Inseam length: 25-31 in
• Other features: UPF 50

Eddie Bauer Women’s trail leggings were designed specifically for hiking and scrambling adventures. They incorporate everything you’d want in activewear – stretchy, breathable, and with odor-controlling properties.

We found that the high waist offers solid support, and the UPF 50+ fabric provides you with much-needed sun protection. Two zippered pockets are the most secure of any of the models we tested. Available in nine different colors.

ZIP HERS Fit & Leisure Tight

Price: $95.00

See on ZIP HERS

Pros

✅ Innovative

✅ Breathable

✅ Affordable

Cons

❌ Only one color option

❌ Durability

KEY SPECS

• Material: Nylon, Spandex, Polyester
• Rise: Mid
• Inseam length: 24-26 in
• Other features: Unique zipper for peeing, Chlorine-resistant

We love that Zip Hers is a female-owned and operated company with crowdsourced feedback from real women to create their line of athletic wear. With efficiency in mind, the custom-designed zipper was born. It is featured on all their leggings and creates an opening wide enough for you to pee without pulling down your pants. In addition, they are made with a nylon-spandex tricot fabric which provides comfort and support. Also, there are pockets!

Key Factors To Consider When Choosing

Durability

Not all leggings are created equal—some are made of lightweight fabric that would be great for summer running, while some are made of a denser material meant to withstand rough terrain. If you’re planning on the latter, something to look for in a durable pair would be whether high-impact areas are reinforced with extra material.

Conversely, certain fabrics, such as mesh, will be more likely to get snagged and rip. Seams tend to be a weak point, so choosing a pair with less individual panels will minimize the likelihood of one popping open.

Most Durable Leggings:

• FJALLRAVEN Abisko Women’s Trekking Tight
• KUHL Transcendr Legging
• ATHLETA Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tight
• THE NORTH FACE Women’s Winter Warm Tight

Comfort

A good pair of hiking leggings should be snug in the right places and fit next to the skin but not so tight that your range of motion is affected. If they are too loose, you’ll constantly be adjusting. If they are too tight, you will be very uncomfortable during your workout. The right-fitting pair will have you feeling light and well-supported.

Look for pairs with wide waistbands that will keep everything in place and won’t require you to keep pulling them to stay up. Leggings should sit smoothly against your skin and should not pinch. If the fabric is loose in certain areas or if the fabric is stretched too thin when you bend, reevaluate the size.

There are many options available for plus-sized women. Keep in mind that more seams and zippers will be less comfortable, particularly while wearing a backpack. Avoid excessive seams in the hip area if possible.

Most Comfortable Leggings:

• LULULEMON Fast and Free High Rise Tight
• OISELLE Pocket Jogger Tights
• KUHL Transcendr Legging

Breathability

When choosing leggings suitable for warm-weather workouts, you’ll want to select a pair that allows for enough airflow to keep you cool and comfortable. Avoid fabrics such as cotton and instead choose a fabric that is made to wick moisture away from the body.

Many companies have created their own proprietary blend of materials to absorb or wick away moisture (Nike’s Dri-FIT polyester blend, Lululemon’s specially knit Nulux™ fabric, etc.). In addition to fabric considerations, look for mesh panels on pairs that are described as quick-drying and lightweight.

Most Breathable Leggings:

• LULULEMON Fast and Free High Rise Tight
• ZIP HERS Fit & Leisure Tight
• OISELLE Pocket Jogger Tights

Warmth

Proper layering is key to staying warm in the winter months. Leggings act as a great base layer because they sit close to your skin, but some materials are better for warmth than others. A heavier material tends to provide more warmth, but make sure that it pulls moisture away from your skin.

As your base layer is meant to keep you dry, wool leggings are a great option because they are naturally insulating and wick away moisture. Many leggings are made with materials meant to withstand the elements. Look under the item’s description to see what materials it is made of and what features are highlighted (windproof, waterproof, or water-resistant, etc.)

Warmest Leggings:

• THE NORTH FACE Women’s Winter Warm Tight
• SMARTWOOL Merino Women's Classic Thermal Merino Base Layer Bottom
• ATHLETA Headlands Hybrid Cargo II Tight
• KUHL Transcendr Legging

Other Things to Consider

Versatility

All the leggings on our list can be worn for multiple types of activities, but if you’re looking to get the most bang for your buck you should consider a pair that has maximum versatility. For example, being able to wear your leggings rock climbing, then around town afterward. Having the ability to use the same pair during both winter and summer is also a plus.

Material

The material used to make a pair of leggings will determine its breathability, stretch, and warmth. Consider what is most important for your intended activity when selecting a pair.

Some of the most common materials include:

• Nylon and spandex – The combination of these synthetic materials makes for a stretchy, comfortable fit. It also allows some companies to add UPF protection to the fabric. However, they are not as breathable as natural fibers such as cotton or wool.
• Merino wool – This natural material is insulating, so it keeps you warm when it is cold outside and cool when it is hot. Not only is it moisture-wicking, but it is odor resistant, meaning you can wear it multiple times in between washes.

Though it sounds perfect, merino wool is not without fault—merino wool is prone to shrinking and requires special care when washing.

Choose leggings based on the activity you plan to engage in.

Design Features

Keep an eye out for these design features when deciding on a pair of leggings:

• Pockets – convenient for holding lip balm, credit cards, phone, and other essential items while you’re on the go
• Stretch panels – help to give you maximum range of motion
• Mesh panels – maximize airflow to keep you cool during your workout
• Sun protection – look for fabric with UPF protection for an added layer of defense against harmful UV rays
• Waistbands – wide waistbands tend to offer more support and reduce the need for adjustments on the trail
• Reinforced areas – great for undertaking more strenuous activities when you need your leggings to be able to withstand rough terrain.

Hiking leggings with pockets.